DUBAI // A man suffered a brain haemorrhage and needed an emergency life-saving operation after being hit on the head with a block of wood when a financial dispute turned violent.
On May 26 last year, officers at Al Rafaa police station received a report about a fight and that the victim, whose nationality and age were not available in records, had been taken to hospital where he underwent surgery.
“We collected evidence from surveillance cameras and saw a number of men carrying the victim in a lift. Another clip showed one man dragging the victim as he tried to escape, then striking him on the head with a wooden block,” a police officer said.
The attacker was identified and arrested the same day. During questioning the Nigerian, 29, told officers he hit the victim in self defence.
“He said that the victim initiated the assault and he grabbed the object from his hand and hit him with it and when the victim fell unconscious on the floor, he threw the block away and ran away,” the officer said.
A medical report said the victim now needs constant medical care because of the severity of his injuries.
The defendant denied a physical assault charge at Dubai Criminal Court.
A verdict is expected on January 30.
salamir@thenational.ae
